September 18, 2025

Hold on tight, Kerala! The scary brain-eating amoeba is back, but not as a team this time. So far, in 2025, 19 people have died from Primary Amoebic Meningoencephalitis (PAM), a rare but deadly infection caused by Naegleria fowleri, the notorious microscopic amoeba called the 'brain-eating amoeba.' Kerala’s Health Minister Veena George has given us some relief by confirming, “Not clusters, single cases...we did have clusters, but not in 2025... but back in 2024, there was a cluster there because the same water source was used...here, there is no cluster, but we have cases, we have a total number of 69 cases..." What exactly is this brain-eating monster? PAM is a fierce enemy that attacks the brain tissue, causing severe swelling and, sadly, death in most cases. It usually strikes healthy children, teens, and young adults, sneaking in through the nose after swimming or bathing in warm, stagnant freshwater lakes or rivers. The Kerala health department warns about this terrifying microscopic creature lurking in freshwater and even notes that using neti pots for sinus treatment has been linked to some cases! Symptoms of this infection are tricky because they look just like bacterial meningitis—headache, fever, nausea, and vomiting. Doctors often catch the real cause too late since PAM races through its victims quickly, usually taking lives within 1-2 weeks. Key facts from Kerala’s health experts: PAM mostly hits healthy young folks during warm months, especially when they play or swim in stagnant water. Once the amoeba gets in through the nose, it uses a sneaky highway right to the brain, disabling immune defenses and causing a lightning-fast, deadly attack. So far in 2025, Kerala has recorded 69 PAM cases with 19 deaths. While last year had scary clusters linked to common water sources, this year the attack appears as scattered single cases. But the warning bells remain loud—stay alert, avoid warm stagnant water, and be cautious while using neti pots. Stay safe, Kerala—don’t let the brain-eating amoeba catch you off guard!

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Tags: Primary amoebic meningoencephalitis, Brain-eating amoeba, Kerala health, Naegleria fowleri, Pam cases, Waterborne disease,